There have been a number of recent letters to the Editor in the Duluth News Tribune related to the conduct of members of the County Board. Here are some:
County Board members must be held accountable
As a woman, a former employee of St. Louis County and a resident of St. Louis County, I am almost at a loss for words regarding two recent actions — or, more accurately, inactions — of the County Board pertaining to sexual harassment complaints by two female county employees (“Ford investigates complaints against two commissioners,” May 23).
First, there was the investigation of Commissioner Steve Raukar for allegedly having made sexually explicit phone calls to a county employee. The investigative report recommended he be censured, but Commissioners Keith Nelson, Dennis Fink and Mike Forsman voted down the idea (“Reprimand of Raukar fails on tie board vote,” Aug. 8).
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Then there was a report by the county that found “some factual support” for allegations by another county employee against Commissioner Dennis Fink, accusing him of engaging in “harassing behavior” (“Fink faces accusations of improper comments and stares,” Aug. 16). Raukar joined Forsman and Nelson in voting against the resolution to censure Fink.
What kind of message does this send to the voters and citizens of St. Louis County, never mind employees who are subjected to this kind of conduct?
I’m fortunate to be represented by Commissioner Steve O’Neil, but this does not give me much comfort, given the present makeup of the County Board and its obvious disregard for women (and men) of conscience in this county.
At the County Board’s meeting on Sept. 4, county residents who have been watching these events and saying to themselves, “I should do something,” did. We launched a watchdog campaign in the hopes of prompting more accountability and civility from the seven-member County Board (“Board gets a watchdog,” Sept. 4).
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” County residents cannot be silent on this issue.
Kathy Heltzer
Duluth
The writer is an organizer of the We Are Watching group.
AND ANOTHER (FROM NORTHERN SLC)
Time to rein in county’s ‘good ol’ boys’ club’
I want to commend the News Tribune on its excellent coverage of the sexual harassment complaints against two St. Louis County commissioners (“County will craft code,” Sept. 5). At the same time, the situation is very sad and troublesome.
Commissioners Steve O’Neil, Bill Kron and Peg Sweeney voted correctly that action of some sort be taken. The remaining commissioners were very wrong in their votes to do nothing. As residents, it’s important we support the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault in its appearance before the St. Louis County Board on Sept. 4 to rectify the lack of a harassment policy that includes elected officials.
Residents should call their county commissioner and demand dignity and justice. The “good ol’ boys’ club” must end.
Dennis Frazier
Zim
AND ANOTHER:
Forsman’s sophomoric outlook was insulting
After St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Forsman appeared at a County Board meeting wearing sunglasses and declaring he is “not smart enough to know when a glance turns into a look and a look turns into an ogle,” I found myself wondering if he, indeed, is smart enough to oversee the county’s business (“Board gets a watchdog,” Sept. 4).
I am insulted as a resident and as a woman by Forsman’s childish response to the very serious issue of sexual harassment, which recently has come to light (“Ford investigates complaints against two commissioners,” May 23).
Forsman’s smart-aleck attitude was something I’d expect from a high school sophomore, not a county commissioner. He should be ashamed of himself, and he should try wearing a dunce cap, instead of the sunglasses, to the next County Board meeting.
Judith Cherveny
Duluth
AND ANOTHER:
Forsman made untenable connection to lynching
The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Inc. board is appalled by County Commissioner Mike Forsman’s comments that the investigation of alleged sexual harassment charges against fellow commissioners reminded him of “the mob mentality that lynched three black men in Duluth” (“County will craft code,” Sept. 5).
There is no comparison between the lawful collection of evidence to define specific incidents such as sexual harassment and the extrajudicial actions of a lynch mob that murdered three innocent young men. We who have studied the 1920 lynching consider attempts to draw any parallel as a serious misinterpretation of the heinous crimes against Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie and of the historical impact of lynching on black people.
We call on our elected officials to demonstrate accountability, integrity and character when questioned on existing organizational policy regarding workplace harassment, rather than plead persecution. We urge all citizens to educate themselves about an atrocity that wounded our community in ways that have yet to be healed. The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial board members, and the organization’s Web site and discussion guide, all are available as resources, as is Michael Fedo’s book, “The Lynchings in Duluth,” and the memorial plaza at First Street and Second Avenue East.
Treasure Jenkins
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A poster commented
Anonymous said...
I cannot believe that I live in a day and age when men who believe they have a little power because of their elected position will take advantage of others who they percieve to be inferior. I liken this to what others have called "a good old boys" club. There are many professional, intelligent and respectful people in St Louis County(men and women, in Duluth and on the Iron Range) who feel that the actions of these "men" are absurd and sad. I hope that the code of ethics does what it is supposed to but I am afraid that these so-called officials are fundamentally flawed and cannot be fixed by a code of conduct. It makes me sad to see that our local government has been hindered by the actions of these few people.
September 11, 2007 7:30 PM
I cannot believe that I live in a day and age when men who believe they have a little power because of their elected position will take advantage of others who they percieve to be inferior. I liken this to what others have called "a good old boys" club. There are many professional, intelligent and respectful people in St Louis County(men and women, in Duluth and on the Iron Range) who feel that the actions of these "men" are absurd and sad. I hope that the code of ethics does what it is supposed to but I am afraid that these so-called officials are fundamentally flawed and cannot be fixed by a code of conduct. It makes me sad to see that our local government has been hindered by the actions of these few people.
September 11, 2007 7:30 PM
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Almanac North
County Commissioners appeared on Almanac North to discuss the current situation. Commissioners Nelson and Forsman defended their positions and portrayed the situation as a union activity.
Commissioner O'Neil spoke truthfully and gave hope for progress in formulating a code of ethics that all would abide by.
They gave a phone number for public comment.
Almanac North 728-0070
Call and tell them what you think of the County Commissioners
Commissioner O'Neil spoke truthfully and gave hope for progress in formulating a code of ethics that all would abide by.
They gave a phone number for public comment.
Almanac North 728-0070
Call and tell them what you think of the County Commissioners
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Residents speak out to county board-Ely Timberjay
It looks like the "We are Watching" campaign is getting some coverage in the Ely area as well...maybe Commissioner Forsman will get some calls and e-mails from voters in his district...we can only hope! Here is the article from the Timberjay:
Saturday, September 08, 2007 Volume 18, Issue 36
Residents speak out to county board
By Marshall Helmberger
There were more angry words at this week’s St. Louis County board meeting, but in the end commissioners found agreement on the need for better behavior from the county’s elected officials.
St. Louis County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to direct the county administrator to work with other elected county officials to draft a code of ethics. The board gave County Administrator Dana Frey until Oct. 10 to report back on his progress. Currently, county ethics rules apply only to employees of the county, but not to elected officials.
The vote came following an at times contentious county board meeting during which as many as 50 county residents turned out to voice their frustrations with the board and its handling of recent sexual harassment complaints against Dennis Fink and Steve Raukar.
The residents were part of a newly-formed organization calling itself “We Are Watching,” whose mission is to increase public awareness and involvement over county decision-making. Members of the group wore scarlet A’s during the meeting, to underscore their desire for accountability from the board and they called for a code of ethics for commissioners.
Group spokesperson Kathy Heltzer, a UMD employee, said frustration with the board has been building for months, but that the board’s refusal to take action on harassment reports was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” “We felt it was a matter of social justice. We just can’t sit by anymore,” she said. Heltzer said the group hoped to improve the level of debate at the county board. “We’re not attacking anyone, but we want to raise the bar, to be more civil.”
The group has also launched a new website at www.northernmnnews.com that will provide updates on county board actions. The website also provides links to two recently completed county investigations into allegations against Raukar and Fink.
If the group hoped to tone down the rhetoric at board meetings, at least one commissioner wasn’t willing to follow along. Commissioner Mike Forsman lobbed several verbal grenades during the day, at various points referring to the new organization as a “mob,” and accusing three fellow commissioners of serving as puppets for the AFSCME union, which represents many county employees. Forsman also said he recognized some members of the newly-formed group, who he said were part of a blue-green coalition that has supported progressive Democrats at DFL conventions. Forsman said many of them appeared angry and he said he was fearful at times for his safety during Tuesday’s board meeting. He said the group shared the same mentality that led to the lynching of three black men in Duluth in the early 1900s. “Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I saw a mob in front of me,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.
Commissioner Steve O’Neil said he found the group respectful, even though some members were clearly upset. O’Neil said most in the group were older women. “It wouldn’t be a group I’d be fearful of,” he said.
But Forsman’s fears have prompted other unusual actions— such as wearing sunglasses whenever he’s in Duluth. Forsman, who charged Tuesday that county government has become hostile to white men, says he’s wearing the glasses to protect himself from false charges that he might be ogling women.
“It’s a safety thing,” said Forsman. “When I’m in Duluth where the blue-green coalition and AFSCME are based, I’m worried they may use something like that against me because I’m not following their agenda.”
O’Neil said he’s seen no indication that AFSCME has taken any interest at all in the sexual harassment issue. “They’ve never spoken to me about it or been present at any meetings on it,” said O’Neil. Neither of the women who filed the actual harassment complaints were members of a union. “I really don’t know what Commissioner Forsman is talking about,” O’Neil said.
Forsman’s actions left others perplexed as well. He drew fire from fellow board members for wearing the sunglasses and his comments likening citizens addressing the county board to a lynch mob, were panned in a Duluth News-Tribune editorial on Wednesday.
Kevin Skwira-Brown, a St. Scholastica instructor and member of We Are Watching, said Forsman’s comments reflect the kind of language that has raised concerns with many in his group. “When a commissioner accuses others of being puppets when they stand up for human rights, or a mob that lynches people, we’re really getting off track,” he said.
Skwira-Brown said the tone of the county board has become the issue, not disagreements among board members. “There have been some simplistic attempts to frame this as a north-south division or a union issue. I think all of that is really unfortunate as well as inaccurate. I believe people across the county share a desire for greater decency,” he said. “I think this is an opportune time to raise expectations about how we conduct dialogue.”
Saturday, September 08, 2007 Volume 18, Issue 36
Residents speak out to county board
By Marshall Helmberger
There were more angry words at this week’s St. Louis County board meeting, but in the end commissioners found agreement on the need for better behavior from the county’s elected officials.
St. Louis County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to direct the county administrator to work with other elected county officials to draft a code of ethics. The board gave County Administrator Dana Frey until Oct. 10 to report back on his progress. Currently, county ethics rules apply only to employees of the county, but not to elected officials.
The vote came following an at times contentious county board meeting during which as many as 50 county residents turned out to voice their frustrations with the board and its handling of recent sexual harassment complaints against Dennis Fink and Steve Raukar.
The residents were part of a newly-formed organization calling itself “We Are Watching,” whose mission is to increase public awareness and involvement over county decision-making. Members of the group wore scarlet A’s during the meeting, to underscore their desire for accountability from the board and they called for a code of ethics for commissioners.
Group spokesperson Kathy Heltzer, a UMD employee, said frustration with the board has been building for months, but that the board’s refusal to take action on harassment reports was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” “We felt it was a matter of social justice. We just can’t sit by anymore,” she said. Heltzer said the group hoped to improve the level of debate at the county board. “We’re not attacking anyone, but we want to raise the bar, to be more civil.”
The group has also launched a new website at www.northernmnnews.com that will provide updates on county board actions. The website also provides links to two recently completed county investigations into allegations against Raukar and Fink.
If the group hoped to tone down the rhetoric at board meetings, at least one commissioner wasn’t willing to follow along. Commissioner Mike Forsman lobbed several verbal grenades during the day, at various points referring to the new organization as a “mob,” and accusing three fellow commissioners of serving as puppets for the AFSCME union, which represents many county employees. Forsman also said he recognized some members of the newly-formed group, who he said were part of a blue-green coalition that has supported progressive Democrats at DFL conventions. Forsman said many of them appeared angry and he said he was fearful at times for his safety during Tuesday’s board meeting. He said the group shared the same mentality that led to the lynching of three black men in Duluth in the early 1900s. “Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I saw a mob in front of me,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.
Commissioner Steve O’Neil said he found the group respectful, even though some members were clearly upset. O’Neil said most in the group were older women. “It wouldn’t be a group I’d be fearful of,” he said.
But Forsman’s fears have prompted other unusual actions— such as wearing sunglasses whenever he’s in Duluth. Forsman, who charged Tuesday that county government has become hostile to white men, says he’s wearing the glasses to protect himself from false charges that he might be ogling women.
“It’s a safety thing,” said Forsman. “When I’m in Duluth where the blue-green coalition and AFSCME are based, I’m worried they may use something like that against me because I’m not following their agenda.”
O’Neil said he’s seen no indication that AFSCME has taken any interest at all in the sexual harassment issue. “They’ve never spoken to me about it or been present at any meetings on it,” said O’Neil. Neither of the women who filed the actual harassment complaints were members of a union. “I really don’t know what Commissioner Forsman is talking about,” O’Neil said.
Forsman’s actions left others perplexed as well. He drew fire from fellow board members for wearing the sunglasses and his comments likening citizens addressing the county board to a lynch mob, were panned in a Duluth News-Tribune editorial on Wednesday.
Kevin Skwira-Brown, a St. Scholastica instructor and member of We Are Watching, said Forsman’s comments reflect the kind of language that has raised concerns with many in his group. “When a commissioner accuses others of being puppets when they stand up for human rights, or a mob that lynches people, we’re really getting off track,” he said.
Skwira-Brown said the tone of the county board has become the issue, not disagreements among board members. “There have been some simplistic attempts to frame this as a north-south division or a union issue. I think all of that is really unfortunate as well as inaccurate. I believe people across the county share a desire for greater decency,” he said. “I think this is an opportune time to raise expectations about how we conduct dialogue.”
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Ethical Code of conduct important
An ethical code of conduct is important for all people in any part of a society...respect for gender, respect for economic status, respect for cultural differences, respect for age differences, respect for intellectual differences. Intimidation and harassment cause ugly situations. We need a positive environment to work and play in, to gain the respect of other Minnesotans. Have we not learned from the lessons of the movie "North Country"?? CW
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
September 4th County Board Meeting in Duluth
Today we had many people attend the County Board Meeting in Duluth and speak to the Board regarding our concerns with respect to the sexual harassment investigations and their lack of respect for each other, as well as their constituents in recent months. The Duluth News Tribune had an excellent article this morning that folks should take a look at http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/
It is especially important that folks continue to monitor these meetings, as well as contact their county commissioners to let them know that "We Are Watching"!
It is especially important that folks continue to monitor these meetings, as well as contact their county commissioners to let them know that "We Are Watching"!
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